Several dozen people are presumed to have died and more than 100 injured following a fire in a ski resort in southern Switzerland, officials have said.
Police said several nationalities were likely involved in the New Year's Day fire, which happened at 01:30 local time in a bar called Le Constellation in the resort of Crans-Montana. It is being treated as an accident with no question of an attack, the region's chief prosecutor stated.
A helpline has been set up for concerned families: +41 848 112 117
At a news conference, police indicated that several dozen people were presumed dead, with reports suggesting around 40 fatalities. Most injured individuals were transported to local hospitals, many suffering from severe burns.
Emergency services dispatched included 10 helicopters and 150 personnel, with ongoing efforts to identify victims complicated by the extent of injuries, particularly burns.
The cause of the fire remains unknown; initial reports of an explosion have since been refuted by local authorities. Investigations indicated that smoke was first detected near the bar, leading to an immediate call for emergency services.
Le Constellation is a well-known bar in Crans-Montana, frequented by locals and celebrating New Year festivities with potentially up to 300 patrons.
